Spiegelworld, the producer of tent-housed theatrical events that draw on circus, cabaret, variety and burlesque traditions, returns to New York City on May 22 for a 15-week run of a new show called Empire, in the Broadway theatre district.

The Spiegelworld tent sits on a vacant lot at 265 W. 45th Street. Shows continue to Sept. 2. Opening night is May 31.

Ross Mollison, Spiegelworld producer, said in a statement, "We've scoured the planet to find the most awe-inspiring acts ever performed, and assembled them together on one stage, creating the greatest show New York has ever known. New Yorkers are the most demanding audiences in the world, and so we have had no choice but to deliver a show that represents the very height of the art."

Spiegelworld shows first came to life in New York City in summer 2006, when it launched an annual summer season on Pier 17 in the South Street Seaport neighborhood. Spiegelworld has produced Absinthe, La Vie, Late Night Lounge and Desir under its tent. The company has also toured to Miami's South Beach and Melbourne, Australia. A 440-seat Belgian spiegeltent is the venue of the Empire experience. According to production notes, "Popular across Europe during the early 20th century, the luxurious traveling spiegeltents were used as dance halls and music/cabaret venues, featuring intimate in-the-round seating, ornate wooden paneling, mirrors, stained-glass windows, and velvet-upholstered seating booths."